Meet Joanne Jiang!
One of the student soloists at the 2023 Spark to Flame Student Showcase!
Joanne Jiang is currently studying the cello under Brian Yoon’s instruction and she started off the cello with Karen Whyte. Joanne absolutely adores the deep, rich and vibrant sound of the cello. She is in her second year in the Collegium programs, but the very first year in the Senior Collegium. She is a member of the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra as well. Joanne Jiang is a 13 year old, grade 8 student at St Michaels Universities School, and is very honoured for the opportunity to perform in the Spark to Flame showcase.Why did you apply to perform at Spark to Flame?
applied for Spark to Flame because I am always fascinated by the online videos of the amazing cello concerto performances, and had always wondered how it feels like to be a soloist and have the chance to perform with an orchestra. I thought it would be such a great experience and opportunity, so with encouragement from my teacher, I took the step, and decided to give it a try. I am very thankful for the Victoria Conservatory of Music for giving me the chance to play.
What piece are you performing and why did you choose it?
I chose a piece named Allegro by Saint Saens. From the title of the piece, it shows that this piece is going to have so much passion and energy. Throughout this whole piece, it shows off the liveliness and the excitement between the lines, and I think this is the kind of feeling I have towards the cello. I can really express my emotions and personalities when I am performing this very piece, but yet it is still technically demanding, and I learned and improved a lot from this piece.
What are your aspirations in music?
I hope my music could influence other people, and let more people enjoy music with a meaning of love.
Tell me a bit about yourself, outside of music.
Outside of music, I like to try to conquer math problems, playing badminton and volleyball, reading, and I also dance sometimes. I enjoy traveling around the world as well.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Last year I received the award for “Non Competitive Education Stream- Strings” at the 2022 .2023 Spark to Flame Student Showcase
The annual Spark to Flame program is presented through the Ann George Nation Conservatory School of Classical Music and supports the development of young emerging professional artists.
Open to all students of the Victoria Conservatory of Music, soloists are selected through two rounds of auditions. The Spark to Flame program offers soloists the opportunity to be mentored by various VCM faculty over the weeks leading up to the concert, including rehearsals with orchestra.
The concert is a magical evening, and this year’s performance on Saturday February 25, 2023, will feature six very talented student soloists chosen this year to be accompanied by the VCM’s Chamber Orchestra, consisting of fellow student peers who are joined by faculty artists and other professional musicians.
Admission is free. Please use the Victoria Conservatory of Music entrance at 900 Johnson Street. Supported by the Henwood Family Foundation and BC Gaming. href=”https://vcm.bc.ca/event/spark-to-flame/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Learn more and read the bios of the six student performers here.
